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Government must stop ‘short-sighted’ FENZ job cuts, PSA says

Source: Radio New Zealand

PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the cuts are “short sighted” and will “impact FENZ’s ability to deal with emergencies and prevent future emergencies.” RNZ

The Public Service Association (PSA) says the government must step in to stop Fire and Emergency’s (FENZ) new proposal to cut almost 170 jobs.

FENZ is circulating its restructure proposal to its staff this afternoon but told RNZ it would not release it publicly.

It previously promised not to cut frontline firefighter or comms centre jobs

But thePSA said the proposal amounted to decimating the agency’s front line support staff and would undermine firefighting in a bid to save $70m a year.

“The government must step in and stop these short-sighted cuts – FENZ is telling its workers to do more with less, which will impact FENZ’s ability to deal with emergencies and prevent future emergencies,” said national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

The proposal included cutting 46 roles in the Operational Response branch central, as well as four wildfire specialists at a time when Tongariro had been hit by such a fire, the PSA said.

It was also proposing to cut 45 roles in the prevention branch that worked to reduce risk and harm before emergencies occur, Fitzsimons said.

RNZ has not seen a copy of the change proposal.

It has previously reported an internal document quoting FENZ as trying to save $50m a year for three years.

FENZ has been approached for comment.

RNZ today previewed the cuts proposal, with FENZ chief executive Kerry Gregory telling staff, “This change is looking at the whole organisation and how we operate, but frontline firefighters and ComCen call takers will not be losing their jobs as part of these proposals.”

The PSA said the government was deliberately allowing the underfunding of FENZ.

RNZ has approached the government for comment.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Local government approves Dunedin City Council’s new water plan

Source: Radio New Zealand

Most of the lower South Island councils have had their plans for delivering water services accepted. 123rf

The Dunedin City Council’s plan for delivering water services has been given a green light by the secretary for local government.

All councils were required to prepare a plan as part of the government’s Local Water Done Well reform.

The council opted to retain in-house control of its drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, detailing how it will sustainably deliver and fund the services over the next decade.

Chief executive Sandy Graham said the accepted plan would make it easier to coordinate water with the other services the council provided while carefully managing debt levels.

“The accepted water services delivery plan reflects (the council’s) ownership and responsibility for our water infrastructure, while being directly accountable to the Dunedin community,” she said.

Sophie Barker. Supplied

Mayor Sophie Barker said it was a significant milestone that reflected the call from the community to keep their water services local and managed by the council.

“I’m really pleased our plan has been accepted, which means we can move ahead with a model that puts our people first and reflects what they’ve asked for,” Barker said.

Most of the lower South Island councils have had their plans for delivering water services accepted.

Last month, the Central Otago, Clutha and Gore district councils’ plan to create the South Island’s biggest joint council water company was approved.

Around the same time the Waitaki District Council – which was formerly part of the Southern Waters partnership – found out its standalone plan had been rejected.

The council has since agreed to accept Crown intervention with former minister Amy Adams appointed to help the council resubmit its plan.

Last week, the Queenstown Lakes District Council received approval for its plan to establish a new council-controlled organisation.

The Invercargill City Council also received a tick of approval to keep its water services delivery in-house.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Youth in court following burglary in Remarkables Park

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Sergeant Tracy Haggart, Queenstown Acting Response Manager,

A youth has been remanded in custody following a commercial burglary in Remarkables Park earlier this week.

At around 2.15am, Police were called to the intersection of Tex Smith Lane and Hawthorne Drive where a vehicle was used to unlawfully gain entry to a commercial premises.

The alleged offenders fled the area, where the vehicle was located abandoned and submerged in Lake Whakatipu.

Police enquiries into the burglary continue as we work to identify and locate the remaining offenders.

As part of our enquiries the stolen vehicle used has been removed from Lake Whakatipu today.

Police would like to thank the members of the public who have provided us with valuable information.

This information has assisted us in our investigation, and we continue to appeal to anyone who may be able to assist in our enquiries.

We will continue to have an active presence in Queenstown commercial areas while enquiries are ongoing

Today, the youth appeared in Queenstown Youth Court charged with burglary and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle. They were remanded in custody and are due to reappear at a later date.

If you have any information, CCTV, or dashcam footage that may assist in our enquiries, please contact us online through 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

Please use the reference number 251110/5502.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Handful remain without power in lower South Island

Source: Radio New Zealand

A crushed electricity transformer lies under a tree in Clutha. RNZ/Calvin Samuel

Only a handful of people remain without power nearly three weeks after strong winds tore through the lower South Island.

PowerNet said electricity had been restored to more than 50,000 people since the October storm.

Chief executive Paul Blue said recovery efforts were still underway and staff were in contact with the few customers who did not have power to understand their needs and ensure they had generators until the power could be restored.

“The network damage we saw in this storm was unprecedented and it’s quite an achievement to have power restored to so many,” he said.

“If there’s anybody who hasn’t heard from us and doesn’t have power, they need to get in touch urgently on 0800 808 587.”

In some cases, he said, power could not be restored quickly due to extensive damage to the service lines on their property.

Most PowerNet staff were starting to return to planned work.

He warned that some damage might not be immediately visible so there could be unplanned outages in the coming months.

“It’s important that we get back to our planned maintenance as quickly as possible to ensure our networks are resilient to future weather events.

“Our customers should be notified by their retailer of any planned outages and they can also keep an eye on our website for information,” Blue said.

“Everyone, from the PowerNet staff, our electricity industry colleagues from around the country, our contractors, suppliers and the entire community, rallied together to get through this and that’s something to be very proud of.”

The state of emergency was lifted for Southland and Clutha last Friday.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Man arrested and charged after Palmerston North fire

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant David Thompson, Manawatu Area Investigations Manager,

An 18-year-old Palmerston North man has been arrested and charged following a building fire in Palmerston North.

On Thursday 30 November Police were called to a building on Fergusson Street, formally the Fitzherbert Bar, at around 5.20pm.

After initial enquiries the fire was deemed suspicious and a scene examination was completed.

Today, Police arrested and charged an 18-year-old man in relation to the fire.

Our investigation has identified a number of individuals who had been in the building during the afternoon of the incident, and they have been spoken to as part of our enquiries.

Further action against these individuals over the coming days is likely.

Thanks to observations from members of the public, and surrounding CCTV, we have been able to identify and locate a person believed to be responsible for this incident.

While thankfully no one was hurt, the fire caused the destruction of an iconic Palmerston North location.

We are pleased to hold someone to account for this incident and continue to make enquiries into the matter.

The 18-year-old man is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on Tuesday 18 November, charged with Arson.

As the matter is before the courts, Police are unable to comment further.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Trippin out: 90s legends ‘Push Push’ back for dates next year

Source: Radio New Zealand

In mid-1991, a song written by a big-haired Auckland band not long out of high school was everywhere. Now it’s coming back.

‘Trippin’’ by Push Push hit the top of the charts in April 1991, and stayed there for six weeks.

“We wrote it in band practice the week after we’d seen the Ramones play at the Power Station,” lead singer Mikey Havoc told RNZ’s Afternoons.

Push Push is reuniting to celebrate 35 years of that debut hit single and the “hurly-burly, crazy ride” it launched, Havoc says.

The song was a “refreshing blast of wild adolescent energy, in the same way The Who’s ‘My Generation’ or the Ramones’ ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ had been,” wrote Gavin Bertram in Audioculture.

Not only is the band celebrating 35 years since ‘Trippin’’ hit number 1, but new songs are in the pipeline, Havoc says.

Since Push Push disbanded, Havoc has pursued a successful career as a media presenter, musician and DJ.

Why now for a reunion? The time is right to cheer the nation, he says.

“People are miserable all the time, throw yourself back to that day, it wasn’t like that back in those days, was it? No, it was a good time!”

Push Push will play shows in Hamilton, Auckland, Whangaparaoa and Mount Maunganui next year.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Gisborne police seeking two men in hoodies in Bill Maangi death probe

Source: Radio New Zealand

One was seen running from Forrester House over the Ormond Road bridge onto Riperata Street, the other was seen walking from Forrester House on Ormond Road towards town, across Mary Street and continued on Ormond Road, police said. Police

Gisborne police are seeking information about two people believed to be linked to the death of Bill Maangi last month.

The father of four died after being shot in the early hours of 29 September, and police are still piecing together the circumstances around his death.

Acting Detective Inspector James Keene said police reviewing CCTV from the area at the time saw two men wearing hoodies who were believed to be “directly linked to the incident”.

“One was seen running from Forrester House over the Ormond Road bridge onto Riperata Street. Another was captured walking from Forrester House on Ormond Road towards town, across Mary Street and continued on Ormond Road”, he said.

The pair was also believed to have been involved with the theft of a Hyundai Sonata from Forrester House, Ormond Road sometime between 7.30pm and midnight on the same evening Maangi died.

Police recovered the car almost a month later.

Police had previously asked the public for dashcam footage from the area, witnesses to the incident and for sightings of the stolen Hyundai Sonata, Keene said.

Police were requesting that anyone who recognises these people, or knows who they could be to reach out to them on 105, either over the phone or online, referencing Operation Bushman or the file number 250929/9035.

“Police are grateful for community’s help and thank the members of the public that have helped so far,” Keene said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Fatal crash, Whitianga

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a serious crash in Whitianga this morning.

Emergency services were called to the two vehicle crash at the intersection of Tairua Whitianga Road and Moewai Road just after 10am.

Sadly, despite best efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene.

One other person received minor injuries.

The road is closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.

Motorist are advised to avoid the area or delay travel as there are no diversions in place.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Entangled whale successfully freed in Kaikōura

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  12 November 2025

DOC South Marlborough Operations Manager Stacey Wren says a large whale disentanglement team of DOC staff and trained volunteers on two boats disentangled the whale as safely as possible this morning.

“The entangled whale was reported to us on Tuesday afternoon. We sent the large whale disentanglement team out at the time, but they couldn’t locate the whale. They were back on the water this morning and successfully freed it.

“The whale was entangled for more than 18 hours and will be extremely tired but appears to be otherwise healthy. We ask that any boats in the area give it space so it can rest and recover.

“We want to thank the wildlife watching tour operators who helped by reporting the whale’s location to us.

“We also appreciate the support we’ve received from Ngāti Kurī, who have a strong connection and relationship with the whales in the area.”

Stacey says people should never attempt to disentangle a whale themselves as it’s very dangerous. Large whale disentanglement can only be done safely with specialised equipment and training.

“Do not approach an entangled whale or attempt to cut any lines entangling it if you see one while out naturing on the water.

“Instead, please report it immediately to our 24-hour hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). If you can do so safely, monitor the whale from a distance and advise our disentanglement teams exactly where it is.”

Craypot line entanglements mainly involve humpback whales, which are inquisitive, have a large tail and flippers, and often roll so are more vulnerable to getting caught up, Stacey says.

“People setting cray pots can reduce the risk by minimising floating slack in the line, allowing just enough for tidal movements. Not setting pots during June and July, when most humpbacks are migrating along our coasts, would also reduce the risk.

“The procedure for cutting whales free can take several hours. It follows internationally-accepted best practice and is designed to minimise risks to both people and the animal.”

DOC administers the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 and is responsible for leading the management of marine mammal incidents.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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Tongariro rāhui explained

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  12 November 2025 Source:  Department of Conservation and Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro

The fires began Saturday 8 November and burned nearly 3,000 hectares, severely impacting the landscape of the park, which is a listed Dual World Heritage site.

On Sunday 9 November Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro announced two rāhui. The first, announced for 7 days, and extending to Monday 17 November, applies to the fire ground and Whakapapa area walks. This immediate rāhui allows time for the land to settle, and for Fire and Emergency New Zealand, DOC, and partners to assess the burnt areas.

Central North Island Operations Director Damian Coutts says the time allows teams to focus on safety and recovery.

“That means our staff aren’t worrying about visitors coming into the tracks or the visitor centre – they can fully focus on ensuring the fire is out and assessing damage.”

The second rāhui announced is a restorative rāhui set to last ten years, over the fire ground itself, and is causing some confusion.

Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro spokesperson Te Ngaehe Wanikau says the ten-year rāhui is about maunga ora (wellbeing of the mountain).

He clarified, “It’s not about keeping people out. It’s about restoration, it’s about the spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing of Tongariro.

“We’re being very strategic in placing this rāhui. Our biggest fear is two weeks, two months down the track everyone forgets about the fire, and we’re left with a landscape of weeds.

“Instead, we’re reinforcing a focus on restoring Tongariro. It’s a rāhui for people to come together, pool resources, and heal.

“We’re still expecting people to walk on tracks, but we’re looking to a future where people will come here just to be a part of the healing of the maunga. We’ll be sharing this opportunity with Aotearoa and the world.”

Damian says DOC supports the restorative rāhui.

“We encourage people to take the time to understand and respect the concept of rāhui.”

“We look forward to welcoming people to help with the recovery of this special place alongside Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro and DOC.”

“In the meantime, we are appealing for people to stay away from the fire area at least until Monday 17 November. You can still enjoy naturing in the parts of the park which aren’t subject to the short-term rāhui.”

Visitors are reminded to check the DOC website for updates on track closures.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz